Photographic-printing device



Feb. 9 1926.

A. WIRTHWEIN PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING DEVICE Filed Jan. 26, 1925 INV TOR.

l etenteel Feb. 9,

UNITED STATES ALBERT WIR'II-IWEIN. OF MILW'AUKEE, WISCONSIN.

PHOTOGRAPHIC-PRINTING DEVICE.

Application filcd January To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ALBERT lvin'rnwnrn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Milwaukee, county of h lilwaukee, and State of Wisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Photographic-Printing Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in photographic printing devices.

It is the primary object of this invention to provide a novel and simple printing machine in which opportunity is afforded for manipulation of the light reaching different portions of the negative during exposure and in which the printing operation is greatly facilitated through the incorporation of an improved mounting for the printing frame and improved means for disposing of the exposed prints prior to development.

More specifically stated, it is the object of this invention to provide an arrangement whereby the making of a number of prints from a single negative will be expedited through an arrangement by which the adjustment of the machine for the purpose of introducing a new print will automatically take care of the exposed print, whereby it may be stored in a darkened container, pending the completion of the batch of exposures.

In thus providing for the rapid substitution of sensitized sheets in the printing frame it is my purpose also to provide for the manipulation of exposures of different portions of the negative and to incorporate novel-and improved means for controlling printing and ruby lights at properly timed intervals with respect to the operation of the frame.

- In the drawings:

Figure l is a transverse vertical sectional view through a device embodying this invention.

Figure 2 is a horizontal section taken on the line indicated at 22 in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view f the device on a reduced scale.

Like parts are identified by the same reference characters throughout the several views.

The device includes a cabinet which is adapted to rest upon a table or shelf 11. Secured to the cabinet in a position to depend below the margin of the table 11 is Serial No. 4,951.

a storage box 12 having an inwardly opening cover 13 normally held in closed position by a spring hinge 14. An opening at 15 aifords communication between the interior of the storage box 12 and the interior of cabinet 1.0.

Cabinet 10 is provided with an opening in its front wall and includes a source of illumination which, for the purposes of the present invention, is represented as comprising a reflector 21 containing an incandescent electric bulb 22. Light emanating f om bulb 22 and reflector 21 reaches the interior of the cabinet through opening 23 therein although, for the purposes of this invention, the reflector 21 may be regarded as constituting a part of the cabinet.

A printing frame designated in its entirety by reference character 25 its supported for rotation about a horizontal axis extending transversely of the cabinet. Suitable journal boxes 26 are mounted on the interior of the side walls of the cabinet and trunnions 27 connected with the printing frame are operatively mounted in the journal boxes so that the printing frame may readily be swung between the positions represented in full and dotted lines in Figure 1. It will be noted, however, that the arc through which the printing frame oscillates between such positions exceeds 1550 so that the printing frame, which during the printing operation is disposed horizontally beneath reflector 21, may, upon occasion, he swung about its trunnion support to an inverted and inclined position as shown in dotted lines.

The cabinet contains in its lower rear portion a so-called safe li ht or ruby light 29 for the purpose of facilitating the positioning of negatives and paper in the printing frame. For the operation of the bulb 29 and the printing bulb 22, suitable electrical connections are provided which, for the purposes of present disclosure, are illustrated diagrammatically.

A supply cable 30 leads to the machine. One conductor 31 supplied by this cable conveys current to one of the terminals above 22 and to the resilient switch plate 32, the latter being supplied by a branch conductor A second conductor 34: connected with a wire in cable 30 has a branch 35 which goes to one terminal above 29 and another branch 36 which leads to the fixed terminal 37 of a switch controlling operation above 22. A conductor 37 connects bulb 22 with a resilient switch member 38 adapted for contact with fixed terminal 37 and provided with a shoulder 39 against which the switch actuating lug 40 on the printing frame abuts. The arrangement is such that the switch member 38 normally maintains itself resiliently out of contact with the fixed switch terminal 37. But as the printing frame swings counterclockwise in a direction opposite to that indicated by the arrows in Figure 1, the lug 40 on the frame strikes the shank portion of spring contact 38 and. ultimately forces the end of such contact into engagement with the fixed contact 37 whereby to close the switch. Shoulder 39 limits the oscillatory movement ofv the frame in a counterclockwise direction. The obvious purpose of lug 40 is to render the frame eccentric with reference to its fulcrum so that the opposite end of the frame will clear the spring contact 38 without closing the switch when the frame is being swung between its dotted and full line positions.

The resilient switch member 32 is provided with an outwardly bowed portion 41 adapted to be contacted by the side margin 42 of the frame. As the frame reaches the inverted position in which it is shown in dotted lines in Figure 1, through such. contact the resilient spring member 32 is forced into engagement with the fixed contact member 4% whereby to close a circuit through such member and through the conuuctor 45 which leads to the other terminal of bulb 29. Thus when the frame is in its horizontal position, as indicated in full lines in Figure 1, bulb 22 will be lighted and will expose sensitized paper contained in frame When the frame is inverted, however, the initial movement thereof opens the circuit to bulb 22 by allowing spring 38 to move slightly outwardly and ultimately lights bulb 29 through the closing of the switch which comprises resilient contact 32 and fixed contact 44.

The printing frame 25 is provided in the usual manner with a glass or transparent sheet of material at 47 and may have a mask at 48 adapted to receive a negative which is shown in black at 49. The usual pressure back 50 may conveniently be made of hingedly related component parts 51 and 52, the latter being hinged to the printing frame at 53. A slot 55 in the rail of the frame to which the pressure back is hinged communicates. with the space between the pressure back and the mask. Therefore, a sensitized sheet confined within said space may readily find egress through slot 55 when the frame is tilted to its dotted line position.

A flexible cord or the like at 61 passes through opening 15 and connects door 13 with the end of frame 25 opposite to that in which the slot 55 is located. The arrangement is such that as the frame 25 oscillates toward its ultimate position, as shown in dotted lines, the cord 61 will become taut and will open door 13 to an extent sui'iicient to permit access to box 12 of the exposed sheet of sensitized paper which slides from the frame through slot 55 therein. A sheet of sensitized paper thus finding access to box 12 drops to the lower part of the box and stands upright therein as shown at (52. It is particularly to be noted that the sheet will not slide from the frame until the pressure of back 50 is re lieved through the opening of the usual catch 63. ll hen the pressure back is swung to its open position, as indicated in dotted. lines, it completely covers the top of box 12 and shields the interior of the box from extraneous light while affording access of the exposed sheet thereto.

It is thought that the operation of the device will be perfectly clear to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description of the parts and their several functions but for convenience a summary will now be given of the manner in which the device is used in practice.

The negative and mask will be inserted in the open printing frame when such frame occupies the position indicated in dotted lines. The device is particularly adapted for use in the printing of large quantities of pictures from a single negative and it may be assumed therefore that the negative and mask are allowed to remain unchanged between successive printing operations. After the negative and mask are in place a sheet of sensitized armor is inserted in the frame above them and the hinged back 50 of the frame is closed and secured by the custom ary latch 63. .Vhen the frame is in the dotted ine position a spring contact 4-1 will be engaged with stationary switch terminal to close the circuit including the ruby or safe light 25) for the'convenience of the operator in manipulating the sensitized sheet into place a d in ascertaining that the negative is properly positioned with reference to the mask.

When the frame is swung counterclockwise toward its full line position the circuit to lamp 29 is broken and after somewhat more than 180 of oscillation the lug 40 on the frame will contact shoulder 39 on spring 38 to limit the oscillatory movement of the frame and at approximately the same time to close the circuit which includes light 22. This light is now directed evenly upon the negative by means of reflector 21 and after the proper length of time the sensitized sheet 60 will receive an adequate exposure. Thereupon the operator presses downwardly upon the outwardly projecting margin of frame 25 to swing the frame in the direction indicated by the arrow. Immediately the light 22 is extinguished and as the frame approaches its dotted line position, bulb 29 is again illuminated and the tension of cord 61 results in opening door 13. As the frame reaches the indicated dotted line position, the operator releases the latch 68 and throws open the back 50 of the frame which extends across the top of box 12. The relief of pressure on the sensitized sheet 60 allows such sheet to slide through slot 55 in the frame into the box 12 where it joins the previously exposed sheets which are piled as at 62 in such box. The release of the sensitized sheet takes place under such circumstances that the frame is in readiness to receive anew sheet and consequently the entire operation may be repeated indefinitely with great speed.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character describer, the combination with a printing framesupported for oscillation about a substantially horizontal axis, of an incandescent bulb arranged to illuminate a face of said frame in one position of oscillation thereof, and a switch controlling the illumination of said bulb and including a moving contact element disposed in the path of oscillation of said frame and adapted to be adjusted by the frame to switch closing. position, said element including a stop member adapted toabut said frame to define said position thereof.

2. In a device of the character described,

the combination with a frame supported foroscillation and an incandescent bulb positioned to illuminate a face of said frame in one position of oscillation thereof, of switch means automatically operable in accordance with the movement of said frame to control the incandesoence of: said bulb and adapted to render said bulb incandescent in said frame position only, said means including a movable switch element disposed in the path of oscillation of a portion of said frame and a frame portion eccentrically formed for contacting said element in but one position of said frame, said contact ele ment being provided with a stop adapted to limit frame movement and to define said position.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination with a cabinet provided with an opening in its face and with a source of illumination, of a printing frame provided with laterally extending trunnions journalled with respect to the sides of said cabinet, said frame being so positioned as to be accessible through said opening at all times.

a. 'In a device of the character described, the combination with a cabinet provided with an opening in its face and with source of illumination, of a printing frame provided with laterally extending trunnions journalled with respect to the sides of said cabinet, said frame being so positioned as to be accessible through said opening at all times, together with a plurality of in candescent bulbswithin said cabinet, independently controllable electric circuits for said bulbs including separate switches pro vided with movable contact elements disposed respectively in the paths of movement of portions of said frame and adapted in different positions of said frame to be closed thereby, one of said elements being provided with a stop adapted to limit the oscillation of said frame about said trunnions in one direction.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination with a cabinet having a print exposing compartment and a compartment for exposed prints, of a frame mounted in said first mentioned compartment for oscillation therein andprovided with a delivery slot and a back in releasable pressure relation to said frame, said slot being adapted to deliver prints from the interior of said frame upon the release of the pressure of said back and said exposed print compartment being so located as to receive prints from said frame when said frame at an angle for the gravity delivery of a print through said slot.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination with a cabinet having a print exposing compartment and a compartment for exposed prints, of a train-e mounted in said first mentioned comparii ment for oscillation therein and provided with a delivery slot and a back in releasable pressure relation to said frame, said slot being adapted to deliver prints from the interior of said frame upon the releaseof the pressure of said back and said exposed print compartment. being so located as to receive prints from said frame when said frame is at an angle for the gravity delivery through said slot, together with-a door for said last mentioned compartment, and means for automatically controlling the movement of said door in accordance with the movement of said frame to and from said last mentioned position.

7. In a device of the character described. the combination with a cabinet having print exposing and print storage compartments, of a frame slotted at its end and supported for oscillation in the print exposing compartment, said frame being adapted in a first position thereof for the gravity dis charge of a print into said storage, compartment and a source of illumination adapted in a second position of said frame to illuminate a face thereof and to expose a print contained therein.

8. In a device of the character described,

the combination with a cabinet having print exposing and print storage compartments, of a frame slotted at its end and supported for oscillation in the print exposing com partment, said frame being adapted in a first position thereof for the gravity discharge of a printinto said storage compartment and a. source of illumination adapted in a second posit-ion of said frame to illuminate a face thereon and to expose a print contained therein, and means automatically operative in accordance with the movement of said frame to and from first position for 001 olling commun' between exposing and storage cc ments.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination with a cabinet having print enposing and print storage compartments, of a frame slotted at its end and supported for oscillation in the print exposing compartment, said frame being adapted in a first position tl'iercof for the gravity discharge of a print into said storage cox partment and a source of iina on adapted in a second position of said frame to illuminate a face thereon and to eiipose a print contained therein, means automatically operative in accordance with the move ment of said frame to and from said first position for controlling communiction between said exposing and storage con'ipart ments, and means automatically operative in accordance with the movement of said frame to and from its second position for controlling the illumination of said print from said source.

10. In a device of the character described, the combination with a cabinet having an opening in its front and a box positioned below said opening and provided with a normally closed downwardly yielding cover, of a-printing frame supported for oscillation within said cabinet and adapted to project therefrom through said opening in its horizontal positions, said frame being slotted in one of its ends whereby to be adapted for gravity delivery of prints into said box, together with a cord connected with said cove and with the unslotted end of said frame and of. such a length as to remain normally slack during the major portion of the moven'ient of said frame and to be drawn taut during the final oscillation of said frame away from its horizontal position, whereby to open said cover.

11. In a device of the character described, the combination with a cabinet having an opening in its front and a box posi below said opening and provided with a normally closed downwardly yielding cover, of a printing frame supported for oscillation within said cabinet and adapted to project therefrom through said opening in its horizontal position, said frame being slotted in one of its ends whereby to be adapted for gravity delivery of prints into said box, together with connections automatically operative in accordance with the movements of said frame for pressing downwardly the door of said box as said frame approaches a position for print delivery thereto.

12. In a device of the character described, the combination with a cabinet having print ing and storage compartments and a door controlling communication between said conipartments, of a printing frame supported for oscillation in said cabinet and connections between said frame and said door adapted to open said door as said frame oscillates toward one position in said cabinet.

13. In a device of the character described, the combination with a cabinet having printing and storage compartments and a door controlling communication therethroiug h, of a A rinting frame mounted in the exposing compartment of said cabinet, connections between said frame and said door for the opening of said door in one position of oscillation of said frame, and a back in releasable pressure relation to said frame, said frame being provided with a slot in the end nearest said storage compartment when said frame is in a position for the opening of said door.

14-. In a device of the character described, the combination with a cabinet having printing and storage compartments and a door controlling communication therethrough, of a printing frame mounted in the exposing compartment of said cabinet, connections between said frame and said door for the opening of said door in one position of oscillation of said frame, a back in releaseabl-e pressure relation to said frame, said frame being provided with a slot in the end nearest said storage compartment when said frame is in a position for the opening of said door, together with an incandescent bulb positioned to illuminate a face of said frame when said frame occupies a second position of oscillation in which said con nections are not operative to open said door, and a switch controlling the illumination of said bulb and including a moving contact element disposed to be engaged by the portion of said frame when said frame reaches said second position.

15. In device of the character described, the combination with a cabinet having an opening in its face, of a box connected with said cabinet to comprise a compartment thereof and provided with a door immedily exterior of the opening in the face of id cabinet and controlling comn'iunication between the interior of said cabinet and the interior of said box, an oscillatable printing frame provided with laterally projecting trunnions journalled with respect to the sides of said cabinet, said frame being .munication between the mounted to project through the opening in said cabinet when horizontal, said frame being provided with a slot in an end of said frame and adapted in an inclined position of said frame to deliver a print through said opening and into said box.

16. In a device of the character described, the combination with a cabinet having an opening in its face, of a box connected with said cabinet to comprise a compartment thereof and provided with a door immediately exterior of the opening in the face of cabinet and controlling communication between the interior of said cabinet and the interior of said box, an oscillatable printing frame provided with laterally projecting trunnions journalled with respect to the sides of said cabinet, said frame being mounted to project through the opening in said cabinet when horizontal, said frame being provided with a slot in an end of said frame and adapted in an inclined position of said frame to deliver a print through said opening and into said box, means for yieldably maintaining the door of said box normally closed, and a mally slack tension member connecting said door with said frame and adapted to (pen said door as said frame osc' toward an inclined position for the delivery of a print through said slot.

17. In a device of the character described, the combination with a cabinet having an opening in its face, of a box connected with said cabinet to comprise a compartment thereof and provided with a door immediately exterior of the opening in the face of said cabinet and controlling cominterior of said cabinet and the interior of said box, an oscillation printing frame provided with laterally projecting trunnions journalled with respect to the sides of said cabinet,

said frame being mounted to project through the opening in said cabinet when horizontal, said frame being provioed with a slot in an end of said frame and adapted in an inclined position of said frame to deliver a print through said opening and into aid box, means for yieldably maintaining he door of said box normally closed. and a iormallv slack tension member connecting sa d door with said frame and adapted to op id door as said frame oscillates tow rd an iwlined position. for the delivery "it through said slot, together with for said fi ms in releasable pressure omen; there rrith. a device of the character described, combintion with a printing frame supfor oscillation and provided with a d whereby to be adapted in an ration of said frame for the dis print therethrough, an incanarrangred for the illumination frame in a second posielectrical connections for said a switch having a moving a pressure back for said frame in e pressure engagement therewith, 2e b ing provided at its slotted end i adapted. for engagement with ontact of said switch in a manner for the closing of said switch in the horisontl position of said frame, a compartnicnt 1 provided with an opening positzOIlGt to receive prints from the slotted end of sai l frame in the inclined position therea ooor controlling communication with said compwtment, and a normally slack connec ion between said door and the end of said rame opposite to the slotted end aforesaid, said connection being adapted to draw said door open as said frame approaches its inclined position.

ALBERT VVIRTHlVEIN. 

